AllMineralsRock
Garnet Vs. Morganite
Garnet is a very popular gemstone composed of a group of silicates.[1] Morganite is a gemstone and its chemical composition is beryllium aluminum silicate.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Garnet and Morganite
For a quick recap of the differences garnet and morganite:- While both garnet and morganite can be translucent or transparent, garnet can be opaque.
- For chemical formulas, garnet is X3Y2(SiO4)4 while morganite is Be3Al2Si6O18.
- While both garnet and morganite can be vitreous, in terms of luster, garnet can be adamantine, resinous or submetallic.
- Garnet streaks colorless while morganite streaks white.
- While both garnet and morganite can be commonly pink, garnet is often black, blue, brown, gray, green, orange, purple, red or yellow.
- Garnet's rarity is less rare than morganite.
- Garnet's specific gravity is higher than morganite - garnet ranges from 3.4 to 4.3 and morganite ranges from 2.71 to 2.9.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Garnet and Morganite
The similarities of garnet and morganite include:- Garnet's hardness overlaps with morganite - garnet ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 and morganite ranges from 7.5 to 8 on the Moh's scale.
Summary of Garnet
Garnet is a popular mineral that is commonly found in metamorphic rocks. It is a silicate mineral that is composed of calcium, iron, magnesium, aluminum, and chromium. Garnet has a distinct reddish-brown color, but it can also be found in shades of green, yellow, orange, and black. It is a hard mineral and has a Mohs hardness scale rating of 6.5-7.5.Summary of Morganite
Morganite is a beautiful pink variety of the mineral beryl, and is often used as a gemstone in jewelry. It was first discovered in Madagascar in 1910 and named after the famous financier J.P. Morgan, who was an avid gemstone collector. Morganite can be identified by its pink color, which can range from a pale pink to a peachy-pink or salmon color. It is often found in large crystals, which can be cut into faceted gemstones.Table Comparison of Garnet vs Morganite
| Garnet (src) | Morganite (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | transparent, translucent |
| Chemical Formula | X3Y2(SiO4)4 | Be3Al2Si6O18 |
| Chemical Composition | a group of silicates | beryllium aluminum silicate |
| Specific Gravity | 3.4, 4.3 | 2.71, 2.9 |
| Hardness | 6.5, 7.5 | 7.5, 8 |
| Streak | colorless | white |
| Refractive Index | 1.72, 1.95 | 1.572, 1.6 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: red, blue, gray, pink, black, brown, green, orange, purple, yellow |
common: pink sometimes: purple |
| Fracture | conchoidal, uneven | conchoidal, uneven |